DEO DIRECTS ALL WARD COUNCILORS TO BE PRESENT AT THE DESIGNATED VENUE BY 8 AM

DEO DIRECTS ALL WARD COUNCILORS TO BE PRESENT AT THE DESIGNATED VENUE BY 8 AM

7-APRIL-ENG 18

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------The District Election Office, Bhojpur, has issued important directives regarding the election of members to the Empowered Standing Committee of the Jagdishpur Nagar Panchayat. According to the issued letter, the election process for members of the Empowered Standing Committees of urban local bodies is scheduled to be conducted on April 16, 2026, in the auditorium of the Sub-Divisional Office, Jagdishpur. The District Election Officer (Municipality)—who also serves as the District Magistrate of Bhojpur—has directed all Ward Councilors to be present at the designated venue on the scheduled date and time. This election process will commence at 8:00 AM in the auditorium of the Sub-Divisional Office, Jagdishpur. It is pertinent to note that this election is being conducted in accordance with the directives of the State Election Commission, following amendments to the Bihar Municipal Act, 2007. Under this framework, members of the Empowered Standing Committees within urban local bodies will be selected. The District Election Office has also instructed the Executive Officer of the Jagdishpur Nagar Panchayat to ensure that every elected Ward Councilor receives a copy of this letter and to submit a compliance report regarding its service by April 8, 2026. The letter further states that, in light of Departmental Notification No. 1187 dated April 2, 2026—and following the amendment of Sections 21(3) and 27(3) of the Bihar Municipal Act, 2007, via the Bihar Municipal (Amendment) Act, 2026 (published in the Bihar Gazette on March 12, 2026)—the election of members to the Empowered Standing Committees of urban local bodies within the Bhojpur district is being conducted. It is noteworthy that, previously, members of the Empowered Standing Committee were selected by the Chief Councilor; however, under the current system, these members will now be elected through a vote cast by all Ward Councilors. This change is intended to make the election process more transparent, democratic, and participatory. Political activity has intensified within the Nagar Panchayat area in anticipation of the election. A series of meetings and strategy sessions has commenced among the Ward Councilors, causing the political atmosphere surrounding the upcoming election to heat up.